IAHM 2025 Trad/Folk Performance Series: BRIAN CONWAY AND BRENDAN DOLAN

The Irish American Heritage Museums Christmas concert and celebration features two of New York's finest Irish music and culture ambassadors, Brian Conway and Brendan Dolan.

This year, Brian released his long awaited third solo album titled Wallace Avenue, in collaboration with Brendan. The title Wallace Avenue pays homage to the street Brian grew up on in the Bronx where he first learned so much of his music from his father Jim and later Martin Wynne. Brian also features over 20 of his top former and present students on a track on the CD showcasing Brian’s prowess as one of the greatest instructors teaching Irish music today. After some encouragement from a student and friend, Marilyn Stangl, they collaborated on an instructional book titled The Brian Conway Fiddle Method.

Brian Conway is a leading exponent of the tastefully ornamented Sligo fiddling style made famous by the late Michael Coleman. The winner of two All Ireland junior titles in 1973 and 1974 and the All-Ireland senior championship of 1986, Brian's early studies were with his father Jim of Plumbridge, County Tyrone, and with Limerick born fiddler/teacher Martin Mulvihill. However, it was the legendary fiddler and composer Martin Wynne who taught him the real secrets of the County Sligo style. Later, Brian met and befriended the great Andy McGann of New York, a direct student of Michael Coleman, who further shaped his precision and skill on the instrument.

In 1979, Brian recorded a duet album, The Apple In Winter (Green Linnet) with fellow New York fiddler Tony Demarco. He released his debut solo CD, First through the Gate, on the Smithsonian-Folkways label in July 2002. This CD was voted the prestigious Album of the Year by the Irish Echo. Brian is also featured on the CD, My Love is in America, recorded at the Boston College Irish Fiddle Festival, and on the documentary Shore to Shore, which highlights traditional Irish music in New York. Brian is considered one of the musical rocks of the New York area.

Brian remains faithful to the rich tradition handed down to him. The distinctness of Brian's tone, the lift of his playing, and the deft ornamentation he brings to the tunes have placed him among the finest Irish fiddlers of any style, Sligo or otherwise. Brian has performed all over North America; his talents have also been enthusiastically received throughout Ireland and the rest of Europe. Brian is also considered one of the premier instructors of traditional Irish music who has mentored many fine fiddle players, including several who have gone on to win All-Ireland championships.

Brendan Dolan is a multi-instrumentalist, excelling in the piano, Irish flute and tin whistle. As well performances and recordings with Brian, Brendan has worked with accordionist John Whelan, singer/songwriter Cathie Ryan, Andy Statman and Itzhak Perlman, and can be heard on the latest recordings of Billy McComiskey, and The Green Fields of America. Brendan is a teacher at the annual Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins West Virginia, and the Irish Arts Week in East Durham, New York. Brendan maintains a vibrant school of Irish music for children in the New York City area, and has completed a Master’s degree in Irish and Irish-American Studies at NYU, where he currently works as an archivist on the Mick Moloney Irish-American Music and Popular Culture Collection.

Brendan’s father Felix, a Bronx native, was one of the most renowned piano accompanists in Irish music, and a member of the legendary New York Ceili Band who recorded with Andy McGann, Joe Burke and other greats. Brendan has followed his father's footsteps well, and is the first-call keyboard man in New York Irish music, including for the all-star Pride of New York ensemble. Like his dad, Brendan also plays the flute. A teacher by profession, Brendan has lectured and done archival work at New York University, composed film scores and commercial sound designs.

IAHM is just thrilled to celebrate the Christmas season with Brian and Brendan. Please: bring your family and join us for this festive, Irish evening. Your feet will merrily tap you well until the new year!

IAHM is grateful to sponsors of this event: Metroland Now, Common Roots Brewing Company, ParkAlbany and the Flanagan family.

Show your ticket the day of the show at Common Roots Brewing Company and get the Common Roots’ special “IAHM Buy One / Get One” beverage deal!!!